Walton Goggins Opens Up About ‘Best Friend’ Samuel L. Jackson’s Vital Career Advice

Walton Goggins is opening up about the advice that helped shape a new chapter in his career, revealing that his longtime friend Samuel L. Jackson played a major role in how he approaches commercial work today.

The actor, who has recently stepped into high-profile campaigns, shared that he leaned on Jackson while figuring out how to transition from long-form acting into short-form storytelling. According to People, Goggins said the shift required a different mindset, especially when it comes to delivering a message in just seconds.

“When we did the Super Bowl commercial… what I found so rewarding was… the creativity of telling a story in 15 seconds, 30 seconds or in 60 seconds,” Goggins said, explaining that the format was something he had “always wanted to do.” 

A Simple Question That Changed His Approach

While exploring this new space, Goggins turned to Jackson for guidance, asking him directly how he makes commercials so effective. The response stuck with him.

“I asked him early on, I said, ‘Sam, how do you do it?’” Goggins recalled.

Jackson, known for his memorable ad work, responded in a way that was both simple and practical. Goggins said he referenced his well-known tagline, repeating, “What’s in your wallet? What’s in your wallet?” The moment helped reframe how Goggins thought about connecting with an audience.

“That’s when I thought to myself, ‘Well, why not me? I have something to say, and I sell things that I believe in,’” he said, adding that Jackson is “a true mentor of mine,” per People.

The conversation pushed Goggins to lean into authenticity. Rather than treating commercials as separate from his acting work, he approached them with the same level of intention. “I’m going to speak from my heart and I’m going to do it my way,” he explained.

From Long Career Grind to Major Momentum

Goggins’ commercial run comes during a strong stretch in his career, with recent campaigns including a Super Bowl ad alongside his ongoing film and TV work. His latest GoDaddy spot was filmed in Madrid while shooting “Mister,” with limited time on set. “I had a day. That was it,” he said, adding he believed in the message.

The moment builds on a career that has grown steadily over time. In a November 2025 interview with Rolling Stone, Goggins said, “I’ve been very fortunate… I’ve done a lot of television,” noting his success wasn’t overnight.

He first broke out in “The Shield” and “Justified,” later expanding into projects like “Sons of Anarchy,” “Vice Principals,” “The Righteous Gemstones,” “The White Lotus” and “Fallout.”

Goggins also said avoiding being typecast has always been important. “The one thing that scared me… was being known for one thing,” he said.

“If my life ends tomorrow… I’m just happy and grateful.”

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